San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1887-12-15


goods aud material 10 clothe himself and
family for the winter. When he faces the
tsadesman for that purpose no discovers
that no is obliged not only TO return In the
way Of increased prices, his tariff profit on
the wool he sold, and which then perhaps
lies before him In manufactured form, but
that ho must add considerable sum thereto
to meet further increase In cost caused BY
q tariff duly on the manufacture. Thus In
the ond h 10 aroused to tho fact that hs he's
paid upon moderate purchase, a. result
Of the tariff scheme, which, whom he cold
his wool seemed so profitable, an increase
In price mora than sufficient to sweep away
all the tariff profit he received upon The
wool he produced and sold.
When tho number Of farmers engaged In
wool raising Is compared with the farmers
In tho country, and the small proportion
they bear to our population is considered;
when 1t Is made apparent that In the case vt
a large part Of those who own sheep, the
benefit OF the present tariff on wool =
illusory and, above all, when ii must be
conceded that tina increase Of the cost Of
living caused by such tariff becomes bur-
den upon those with Moderate means and
the poor, the employed and unemployed, the
sick and well, and the young and old, and
that 1t constitutes tax, Which, with rslsntr
less grasp, is fastened upon the clothing Of
every man, woman and child In tho land,
reasons are suggested why the removal o.
reduction Of this duty should be included "
revision Of our tariff lava
In speaking OF the increased cost to The
consumer Of our home MANUFACTURES, result
ing from duty laid upon imported articles
Of the same description, the fact 10 overlooked
that competition among our domestic pro-
ducers sometimes has the OBJECT Of keeping
the price Of their products below tho highest
limit allowed by such duty. But itis notori-
GUS that this competition Il TO often strau-
gled by combinations quite prevalent at this
time aud frequently called trusts which have
for the object their regulation OF the supply
and price OF commodities made and sold by
members Of the combination. The people
can hardly hops for any consideration In the
operation Of thess selfish schemes.
il, however, In the ab,snce OF such combine
tion, q healthy and free competition reduces
The price OF any particular dutiable article
Of home production below the limit which
II might otherwise reach under sour tarth
laws, and II, with such reduced prico its
manufacture continues to thrive, 1t 10 en-
tirely evident that one thing has been dis
covered which should be carefully scruti-
nized in an effort to reduce taxation. Tho
necessity Of combination to maintain the
price Of any commodity to the tariff point
furnishes proof that some one IL willing TO
accept lower prices for such commodity and
that such prices are remuneratlve, and
lower prices produced by competition prove
the same thing. Thus whero either Of these
conditions exist, q case would seem to bo
presented for an easy reduction OF taxation.
The considerations which have been pre-
sented touching our tariff laws are intended
only to enforce an earnest recommendation
that the surplus revenues Of the government
be prevented by the deduction or our Gus
tom duties, and at the same time, TO en-
phasize a suggestion that in accomplishing
this purpose we may discharge . double
duty to our people, by granting TO them
measure Of relief from tariff taxation In
quarters where 1t Is most needed, and from
sources where 1t csa be- most fairly and
justly accorded. Nor can ths presentation
made Of such considerations, with any de-
gree Of fairness, be regarded az evidence OF
unfriendliness toward our manufacturing
interests or Of any lack Of appreciation OF
their valus and Importance.
These interests constitute a leading and
most substantcsl element Of our National
greatness, and furnish the proud proof Of
our country's progress Bat IL In the emsr-
gency that presses upon US our manu-
facturers are asked to surrender something
for the public good, and to avert disaster,
their patriotism as well as grateful resig-
nation Of advantages already afforded,
should lead them to willing cooperation.
No demand is made that they shall forego
all the benefits Of governmental regard;
but they cannot fail to be admonished Of
their duty, as well as their enlightened self
interest and safety, when they are remindsd
Of the fact that financial panic and collapse
to which the present condition tends, afford
no greater shelter or protection to our man
ufecturers than to our other important en-
terprises opportunity for safe, careful and
deliberate reform Is now afforded, and none
Of US should be unmindful Of time when
an abused and irritated people, needless Of
those who have resisted timely and reasona-
BILE relief may insist upon radical and
sweeping rectidcetion OF their wrong.
The difficulty attending wise and fair
revision OF our tariff laws u not under
estimated. IL will require, on the part Of
the congress great labor aud care, and
especially abroad and National contempla-
tion Of the subject, and a patriotic disre-
gard Of such local and selfish claims Is are
and reckless Of the welfare Of
the entire country. Under our present laws
more than four thousand articles are sub
ject 70 duty. Many OF these do not in any
way compete with our own manufacturers.
and many are hardly worth attention a.
subjscs Of revenue. A considerable rsduc-
tion can be made In the Aggregate. by add
ing them TO the free list Ths taxation OF
luxuries presents no features Of hardship,
but the nscessaries Of Life used and con-
sumed by all tho people, tho duty upon
which adds 10 the cost OF living In every
home, should be greatly chsapehed The
radical reduction OF the duties imposed
upon raw material used In manufacturers
or lts free importation. Il. q course, an i'm
portAnt factor in al effoEt 20 reduce tho
price Of thsss necessaries; would not only
relieve them from the increased cost caused
BY the tariff on such material, but the man
product being thus chespsned,
that part OF the tariff now laid upon such
produc. as q O moensation 20 our manufac-
tures for the present price OF raw material
could b occasionally modihsd- Such ~
iuction, or free importation. would serve
beside % largely reduce the revsuua
Il Il not apparent how such change
ran have any injurious effect upon
Dur manufacturer On - contrary, it
rould appaar b give them . better chance
IN foreizn mArksts with The manafactursrs
4 other countriA. Who cAsapsn thsir wares
by fire. material Thus our people might
ave tbs cp7ortanity Of exts1dins their
..lss bsyoad TIE limit Of hons consump-
.ioa, sriag thsa tbs dsprsssiol q inter
ruptioa IN bssinss and ioss cacssd hya
rluffsd d3n-stis marrst a1d a1ordlng
.hsir eupioyss more certain and Etsaiy
abur, vfth ~ re<uitng quist and contsal-
nant Tss Qnsstion thus lnpsratissiy pre-
-uied for soiutioa shouli b spproschsi in
spir.f hiThsr thaa psrts.ns1ip rnt con-
sd--si in ~ light q hat rszari fpr p.fri-